Chelsea’s Coach Eddie Newton Defends Club Loan Policy

Coach Eddie Newton has jumped to the defence of Chelsea’s policy of shipping numerous players out on loan.

The Premier League leaders currently have 38 players temporarily plying their trade at other clubs.

The policy has led to accusations of stockpiling on Chelsea’s behalf, while it’s alleged the young players are not being given a chance.

“What people don’t see is the due care and process we put into our players,” Newton is quoted by the Evening Standard.

“I oversee the programme and I’ve got two coaches, plus four analysts, medical staff and a conditioner for all of the loan players.

“We run it seamlessly considering there’s 38 players — everyone gets seen and everyone gets analysis and feedback on their games.

“So you can slander our loan process as much as you want but some of our loan players who are in Germany and Spain are getting looked after better than some clubs who are supposed to look after the players that are right in front of them. I’m very proud of it.”

Newton, a former Chelsea player who won the 1997 FA Cup with the club, admitted it was difficult for a lot of the loanees to break into the first team but that the system has its merits.

He said: ‘Sometimes it’s frustrating for the players because everyone wants to play first team but only eleven players can get in there, but the loan system is a tool for us to develop players in a senior league instead of playing under-21s football.

‘Every player is different – some will produce very quickly, but others take time to come to fruition.

‘With the money that’s in the league, top clubs are under pressure to win titles and bring in the best players, but we have a belief at this club that we’ve got an abundance of talent that in the next three years are capable of pushing to at least be a permanent squad member, and then it’s up to them to see whether they push on to become a number one in the side.’

Newton served as assistant manager at Chelsea to Roberto di Matteo, having worked with him at MK Dons and West Bromwich Albion, and helped the club win the Champions League in 2012.